The first half of 2011 was historic for the state and UW-Madison. A new governor took office in January, and in February he proposed a controversial budget repair bill. A few weeks later, the governor and chancellor proposed separating UW-Madison…
Senate Recall Elections
Nine Wisconsin State Senate recall elections have been held, and Republicans will have a slim one-vote majority in the Senate after losing two seats on August 9. Republican incumbents Randy Hopper (R-Fond du Lac) and Dan Kapanke (R-La Crosse) were defeated…
Legislature Passes Fast-Tracked Redistricting Plan
Every ten years, the legislature tackles legislative redistricting — redrawing legislative lines to account for changes in the state’s population. The process is often partisan and contentious, and occasionally lands in the courts. The Assembly voted yesterday along largely party…
Board of Regents Meeting
The University of Wisconsin Board of Regents is meeting today and tomorrow in Madison to discuss the 2011-12 annual budget and a proposed 5.5 percent tuition increase for all 2- and 4-year campuses. Two-year campuses have not had an adjustment…
Senate Recall Elections
Legislatively speaking, summer is usually a quiet time with the legislature in recess and elected officials back home in their districts visiting with constituents at picnics and parades. This summer, however, is not typical and the legislature has been consumed…
Governor Walker Signs Budget Bill; Uses 50 Vetoes
Governor Scott Walker signed the 2011-13 biennial budget into law in Green Bay yesterday, using his powerful line-item veto 50 times. Details about the vetoes began trickling out of the Capitol on Friday and continued over the weekend. The $66…